A week has passed, and things between Hannah and me have only gotten closer since that unforgettable moment in the storage room. Every time I think about it, I can't help but want to experience it all over again.
Lately, I've been picking her up in the mornings, and we head to school together, sharing little moments on the way. After school, it's the same—I walk her home, just enjoying her company. Each day feels special, and I feel like we're really getting to know each other in a new way.
One day, Hannah and I were sitting under a tree in the open field on our campus, her head resting on my shoulder. "Will?" she said, trying to get my attention.
"Yeah?" I replied, feeling the warmth of her head on my shoulder. The afternoon sun was soft, making long shadows across the field. Everything felt quiet and calm.
Hannah lifted her head and looked at me with a serious expression. "Have you ever thought about… our future together?"
Her words gave me a little jolt. Our future together. It sounded so simple, but it suddenly felt heavy, like it was filled with things I hadn't really thought about. I looked away for a second, trying to get my thoughts together.
"Uh, yeah, I guess," I replied, trying to sound casual. But inside, a wave of uncertainty started to creep in. I hadn't thought much about the future, especially not with someone else in it. It had always just been about me and my own plans.
Hannah looked at me, her eyes full of hope. "I just… I like what we have, Will. I like how things are, and sometimes I wonder if it could stay like this for a long time, you know?"
Her words were sweet, and part of me felt good that she saw me in her future. But at the same time, I felt a sudden tightness in my chest, like the space around us was shrinking.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile. "It's… nice to think about."
But even as I said it, that little voice inside started to nag, asking if I was really ready for what she was hinting at.
Hannah noticed I was a bit off, probably from the way my smile didn't quite look right and how I kept shifting. She looked at me softly, like she understood.
"Hey," she said, squeezing my hand. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to see how you felt."
I squeezed her hand back, trying to lighten the mood. "No, it's okay. It's just… big stuff, you know? I haven't really thought about it before."
She nodded, giving me a small, understanding smile. "We don't have to have it all figured out now. I just like being with you. We can take it one day at a time."
Her words made me relax a little. I was glad she understood. Still, in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake this feeling—this worry if I was really ready for everything she was hoping for.
I stood up quickly, brushing the grass off my jeans. "Uh, maybe we should head home," I said, trying to keep it casual.
Hannah looked up, surprised. "Already?" She looked at me with a little confusion in her eyes.
"Yeah," I muttered, avoiding her gaze. "I just… I think I need a little fresh air."
She got up too, linking her arm with mine as we started walking. Even though she was right next to me, it felt strange, like there was this weird distance between us that wasn't there before.
We walked quietly for a while, both lost in our own thoughts. Her words about the future kept replaying in my head, making me feel sort of trapped and unsure. I hadn't really thought that far ahead, and now it felt like everything was moving too fast.
After a long silence, she finally asked, "Will, are you okay?"
I nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good," I replied, even though inside I felt that same tightness, like I was carrying a weight I didn't understand.
Days went by, and I started finding ways to stay away from Hannah. I'd tell her I had lots of schoolwork or that I needed to get home early. When she'd call, I'd let it ring a few times before picking up, acting like I hadn't noticed right away.
In class, I'd sit a little farther back, hoping she wouldn't spot me. When we ran into each other in the halls, I'd keep our chats short, saying I was in a rush. Every time I saw her, I'd feel that same uncomfortable feeling, like I needed some space.
I think Hannah started to pick up on it. She'd look at me, kind of confused and maybe a little sad, but I didn't know what to say. The more I tried to avoid her, the worse I felt, but I didn't know how to make it stop.
One afternoon, I was on my way home, trying to avoid Hannah. I had been staying away from her all week, taking different paths. But as I turned the corner, there she was, right in front of me.
"Will," she said, her voice serious. "We need to talk."
I tried to act normal. "Hey, what's up?" I said, but my heart was racing.
She looked at me with sad eyes. "You've been avoiding me. I know something's wrong. You don't talk to me like you used to."
I looked down, feeling guilty. She was right.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, sounding worried.
I wanted to tell her everything, but I couldn't find the words. "Hannah," I said softly, "it's not you. I just don't want a serious relationship right now."
"I'm not trying to trap you. I just like what we have and want more than friendship," she said, looking sad.
"I get that, but a serious relationship makes me feel trapped. I like having my freedom," I explained.
"So, you want to keep things casual?" she asked, sounding frustrated. "It hurts to feel like you're shutting me out. I care about you, and I don't want to lose you."
"I care about you too, Hannah. I just need to take a step back and breathe. I don't want to end things," I said.
"Okay, but promise me you'll be honest. I want to know where we stand," she said softly.
"I promise. I just need some space to sort out my feelings," I replied, not sure if I really wanted this.
A week after our talk, Hannah and I stopped talking. I didn't tell her how I felt about our relationship, and the silence felt heavy. Each day seemed longer than the last. I missed our easy chats and laughs, but I also felt a bit relieved. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, and it was easier to avoid the pressure of figuring everything out. Even though we weren't talking much, I still saw Hannah around campus. We passed each other in the hallways or sat near each other in class, which made it harder to ignore what was happening between us. I tried to keep my distance, hoping to sort out my feelings alone. Deep down, I knew the silence couldn't last forever.
That one evening we shared felt like a long time ago. Everything seemed right then, and we felt close. I remembered how we laughed and talked easily, without worries about what might happen next. But now, that moment felt lost, replaced by the awkward silence and distance between us. The warmth of that night faded away, leaving only emptiness. I wished I could go back to when things were simple, but I knew it was too late. The weight of our unspoken words hung in the air, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were drifting further apart each day.